Green Bay Packers Draft Needs: Offensive Tackle

The NFL draft is still a month away, but there are mock drafts all over the net that can give you a pretty good idea of how the draft is likely to shape up. A lot can happen over the next month, but over the next few weeks I want to look at the greatest needs of the Green Bay Packers and where they might find help at the end of April. First up: Offensive Tackles .

As all Packer fans know, the offensive line did not play well the first half of the year. Upgrading the offensive line will probably be on Ted Thompson's mind come draft time.

It seems almost every draft "expert" has the Packers picking an offensive lineman in the first round, but as A Packer fan who has watched Ted Thompson conduct the draft over the past few years, he is true to his word and really does select the player he thinks is the best available.

And with the exception of Brian Bulaga and Russell Okung, you could argue that none of the other tackles in this draft are worthy of a pick in the first round. But even with Chad Clifton resigned, there is little denying that a future left tackle needs to be selected in this draft. So who might be available in the early and middle rounds?

Round One

Charles Brown - USC - A converted tight end, mobile and athletic but may need to add a little weight to be an effective LT at the next level.

Bruce Campbell - Maryland - Put up great numbers at the combine, but did not play as well as his numbers might indicate. Campbell could go anywhere from early first to early second based on his potential.

Round Two

Jared Veldheer - Hillsdale - A small school prospect who has been moving up draft boards. Athletic for someone his size but being from a small school he has not played against the highest level of competition. He also has fairly short arms for a left tackle (33").

Rodger Saffold - Indiana - Another player who has been steadily moving up draft boards. He helped himself with good showings in the East-West Shrine game and combine. Currently being projected anywhere from a late first to early third round pick.

Round Three

Jason Fox - Miami - A talented tackle who would be a good fit in the Packers zone blocking scheme, but there are some injury concerns. Missed time at Miami with an irregular heartbeat and a knee injury

Selvish Capers - Played most of his college career at right tackle, but another converted tight end who might have the athletic ability to play left tackle in the NFL. Would need time to develop at the next level.

Round Four

Ed Wang - Virginia Tech - Once again we have a converted tight end who has successfully made the transition to tackle in college. He did not look particularly sharp in the Senior Bowl and was plagued by penalties in college, but with good coaching he may have the physical tools to play tackle in the NFL.

Tony Washington - Abilene Christian - Washington has been on draft boards anywhere from the second to the sixth round. He has the size and athleticism of a NFL tackle, but playing at a small school and a prior off field issue may keep him from going earlier in the draft.

As you can see the Packers have a few options to help them improve their protection of Aaron Rodgers. When do you think the Packers should address their issue at left tackle?